Liege´s Onyewu sues opponent over alleged racist remarks

Standard Liege’s American international defender Oguchi Onyewu on Tuesday accused a player from rival Belgian club Anderlecht with making racist remarks, the player’s lawyer said on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old, who was born in the USA of Nigerian parents, has accused Jelle Van Damme, a defender with the Brussels club, of uttering racist insults at him on three occasions, said the lawyer, Jean-Louis Dupont.

The alleged racist remarks happened during the championship decider first leg on May 21 between Liege and Anderlecht, Dupont explained. When Onyewu brought the matter to the attention of the referee, Van Damme made further insulting comments.

“He asked the referee to intervene three times, but in vain,” Dupont said.

The playoffs ended with a victory for Standard.

The US international who has played around 40 times for his country, has asked a Brussels judge to award compensation for the hurt this has caused him personally, the lawyer added.

Asked for his reaction by Belgian media, Van Damme denied the claims, counter-charging that Onyewu had insulted him during the match with a racist remark.

Onyewu played at Metz in France and Newcastle in England before joining Standard Liege last year.